Juniperus plant named ‘SMNJCHM’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Juniperus cultivar named ‘SMNJCHM’ is disclosed, characterized by a compact, low growing mounding plant form and dense foliage. Plants are deer resistant and tolerate drought. The new cultivar is a Juniperus chinensis, suitable for ornamental garden purposes.

Latin name of the genus and species: Juniperus chinensis.

Variety denomination: ‘SMNJCHM’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is a product of a naturally occurring mutation. Thisnew variety, hereinafter referred to as ‘SMNJCHM’, was selected as asingle branch mutation of the unpatented Juniperus chinensis ‘Hetzii’.The new variety was discovered by the inventor Timothy Wood in acommercial nursery in Grand Haven, Mich. in 2010.

After identifying the new variety as a potentially interestingselection, softwood cuttings were taken at the same nursery in GrandHaven, Mich., in 2010. The inventor continued controlled testing andpropagation, assessing stability of the unique characteristics of thisvariety. At least four generations have been reproduced and have shownthat the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced trueto type. First public access to plants of the variety occurred duringAugust of 2018 in the United States. This offer came directly orindirectly from the inventor, qualifying for the exception allowed under102(b). Previous to this sale, although the variety may have beenpublicized in print, plants were not available to the public forpropagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘SMNJCHM’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. The followingtraits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the uniquecharacteristics of ‘SMNJCHM’ These characteristics in combinationdistinguish ‘SMNJCHM’ as a new and distinct Juniperus cultivar:

-   -   1. Low-growing, mounding plant form.    -   2. Dense foliage.    -   3. Attractive green and blue-green color.    -   4. Drought tolerant.    -   5. Deer resistant.

COMPARISON TO PARENT VARIETY

‘SMNJCHM’ is similar in most horticultural characteristics to the parentvariety. Plants of the new cultivar ‘SMNJCHM’ however, differ in thefollowing:

-   -   1. New variety has more green foliage, while parent has more        blue foliage.    -   2. New variety has a more compact and dense plant habit than the        parent.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

In addition to the parent, ‘SMNJCHM’ can be compared to the commercialvariety Juniperus chinensis ‘Blue Pfitzer’, unpatented. The varietiesare similar in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of‘SMNJCHM’ differ in the following:

-   -   1. New cultivar has more green foliage; comparator has more blue        foliage.    -   2. New variety is more compact and rounded than this comparator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color atypical plant of ‘SMNJCHM’ grown outdoors in Grand Haven, Mich. Theplant is approximately 2-3 years old, and is shown in a #3 sizecontainer.

FIG. 2 illustrates a mature plant planted outdoors in a trial garden atapproximately 8 years old.

The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and althoughcolors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectanceit is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart 2015 except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘SMNJCHM’ plants grown outdoors in GrandHaven, Mich. Plants are approximately 1-3 years old, in a 3 sizecontainer. Measurements and numerical values represent averages oftypical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Juniperus chinensis ‘SMNJCHM’.

PROPAGATION

-   Time to rooting: 90 days at approximately 24° F.-   Time to produce a rooted cutting: Approximately 200 days.-   Root description: Thick to thin, moderately dense, fibrous,    moderately branched. Colored brown and white, not accurately    measured by R.H.S. chart.

PLANT

-   Growth habit: Moderately vigorous to freely branching.-   Height: 54 cm.-   Plant spread: 82 cm.-   Typical growth rate: Moderate.-   Branching characteristics: Approximately 15 lateral branches.    Lateral stems are held at an angle of 45 to 80 degrees from the main    stem.-   Stems:    -   -   Color.—New growth: RHS Greyed-Green 190A. Mature growth: RHS            Greyed-Orange 177C.        -   Appearance.—Round with thorns.        -   Strength.—Strong and flexible.        -   Texture.—Scaly, with thorns.-   Thorns:    -   -   Length.—5 mm.        -   Color.—New growth: RHS Greyed-Green 190A. Mature growth: RHS            Greyed-Orange 177C.-   Lateral branches:    -   -   Length.—Average 43 cm.        -   Diameter.—4 mm.        -   Strength.—Strong.-   Internode length: Average 2.75 cm.

FOLIAGE

-   General description: Needle-like, imbricate, slightly appressed.-   Leaf:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate and whorled.        -   Type.—Single.        -   Shape of blade.—Linear, needle-like.        -   Average length.—5 mm.        -   Average width.—1 mm.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Fused.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture of top surface.—Smooth.        -   Texture of bottom surface.—Smooth.        -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: RHS Green 143A. Newest,            uppermost foliage on spray color near RHS Yellow-Green 151D.            Young foliage under side: RHS Green 143C. Newest, uppermost            foliage on spray color near RHS Yellow-Green 151D. Mature            foliage upper side: RHS Green 143A, tinted Green 136C.            Mature foliage under side: RHS Green 143C, tinted Green            136C.        -   Venation.—Linear, indistinguishable from leaf blade.        -   Fragrance.—Light evergreen.-   Petiole:    -   -   Length.—2 mm.        -   Diameter.—1 mm.        -   Texture, upper side.—Smooth.        -   Texture, under side.—Smooth.        -   Color, upper side.—RHS Green 138B.        -   Color, under side.—RHS Green 138B.

FLOWER

-   Flowering not observed.

FRUIT

-   Not observed to date.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Disease and pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility    observed.-   Drought tolerance: Good tolerance for drought.-   Temperature tolerance: USDA Zones 4-8.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Juniperus plantnamed ‘SMNJCHM’ as herein illustrated and described.